“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural
desire to learn.”

– Maria Montessori

In partnership with the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, this program — the only
one of its kind in Wisonsin — integrates Alverno’s Bachelor of Arts in Education with
a Montessori teacher preparation program. Upon successful completion, you will be
eligible for two Wisconsin teaching licenses: early childhood/middle childhood (birth
to age 11) and Montessori (ages 3 to 6 or ages 6 to 12). This dual licensure will
give you an edge in the job market, as demand for skilled teachers remains strong
and as more school districts add Montessori classrooms.

The Montessori philosophy

Developed by Maria Montessori more than century ago, the Montessori approach to education
features multi-age classrooms, self-directed activity and hands-on learning. As a
trained Montessori teacher, you will understand the importance of allowing a child
to develop naturally through appropriate lessons and materials based on each child’s
unique characteristics and abilities. You will learn how to act as a guide to students,
assisting each child along his or her own path of discovery.

Elementary Education at Alverno

Alverno’s Elementary Education program focuses on the art and science of teaching,
helping you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviors to meet the challenges of
today’s classroom environment.

You’ll learn from educators who are leaders in their field, who have years of real-world
experience teaching in K-12 schools and who are on the forefront of the latest trends
and changes in education.

A unique partnership

Designed to be completed in four years, this program weaves together Montessori and
traditional education philosophies to prepare you to teach in either setting at both
the 3-6 age range and the 6-12 age range. You will have the unique understanding of
both approaches to elementary education.

You’ll also benefit from Alverno’s distinctive abilities-based education as well as
the specialized expertise of the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, an Association
Montessori Internationale training center.

You’ll discover that the Alverno and Montessori teaching philosophies are complementary.
Both emphasize hands-on learning, critical thinking and collaboration — priorities that will ensure bright futures for you and your future students.

On-the-ground training

Alverno’s program gives you extensive experience in early childhood or elementary
school classrooms, with field experiences starting as early as your second semester.
During your final year, you will spend time student teaching at a Montessori school
in collaboration with the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee and time teaching at a
non-Montessori school.

Alverno is connected to more than 150 private and public schools throughout the Milwaukee
area and beyond, and our students do field experiences and student-teach at a variety
of urban and suburban schools.

GET IN TOUCH!

Have questions about studying the Montessori method and Elementary Education? We invite
you to connect with faculty to learn more.